
Just ahead of the trade deadline, the Arizona Diamondbacks and St. Louis Cardinals agreed on a trade that will provide Arizona with a much-needed left-handed-hitting outfielder.
As it was first reported by MLB insider Jon Heyman, Arizona acquired outfielder Lars Nootbaar from St. Louis just ahead of the trade deadline.
In return, the Cardinals are receiving pitchers Daniel Eagen, Ruben Santana and a player to be named later.
D-backs reportedly acquire OF Lars Nootbaar from Cardinals, per multiple reports including @MLBNetwork insider @JonHeyman.
— MLB (@MLB) August 3, 2026
(MLB x @CohnReznick) pic.twitter.com/PCkhSws79z
Since his debut in 2021, Nootbaar instantly became a fan favorite with the Cardinals. His popularity grew worldwide in 2023 when he was a member of Team Japan when it won the World Baseball Classic.
Nootbaar had a breakout season in 2023, appearing in 117 games and posting a 3.3 WAR. Since that season, though, Nootbaar has only been able to compile a combined WAR of 3.0 across 292 games.
A message from Lars Nootbaar to Cardinals fans ❤️ pic.twitter.com/5ue4IaXd3T
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) August 3, 2026
Arizona entered Monday 59-53 and in possession of an NL wild card spot. Despite their first-half success, the front office was surprisingly quiet during Monday's frenzy.
Nootbaar was the only player acquired by the Diamondbacks. That gives the impression that the organization believes in the group it has assembled to make a deep postseason run.
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